A (shortish) blast from Voxfrock past, with our edit from winter’s Refined Artful Cool and Kooky RACK
It’s not easy being womanlysoft in a skinnygirl world. Or 30+ in a young one. It’s not a romp if you’re freckled and fashion says “be flawless”, or disabled and it says “be perfect”, or chubby and it insists; “be thin as a pencil”.
I know these things because my inbox fills daily with the frustrated outflow from people – baby-teens to octogenarians – who feel some fashions are a must, not an option, a prescription not a choice: “I want. But I can’t. Wear this. Wear that.” (Their backnote is a whisker short of sad. A breath away from bitter. Little wonder.) “There’s no (lovely/sexy/cool/chic) clothes for me. No fashion for the (not-young/not-able-bodied/not-pretty/not-skinny) me. So little for Me. It’s not fair.”
No it’s not. But, bollocks to banging on about it. The trick to living contentedly outside fashion’s most desirable but unattainable demands is simply; to live contentedly outside fashion’s most desirable but unattainable demands.
Fashion models look this way, ordinary mortals look that way. Fashion looks different on her. Different on you. Embrace some, discard some. That’s fashion. Idealism is natural, but realism is essential. Tell that to your 13-year-old as she pokes her lumps in the mirror. We are what we are and for fashion, we adapt the clothes and trends to our body, not pine that our body will adapt to them.
Fashion is a buffet, remember, not a set menu. You can quote me on that.
Pictured below, Voxfrock’s pick of four flattering examples from Winter’s (Refined, Artful, Cool and Kooky) RACK. Which one are you?
REFINED – DIANA FERRARI
Diana Ferrari “Divina” dress $169.95, chic and simple silhouette under the slimming tailored line of the “Carina” blazer $189.95. Worn with
“Beaten bead” earrings $16.95, chain necklace $34.95, glamourous “Galore” heel $139.95 and “Mia” bag $69.95.
Buy online or in stores: www.dianaferrari.com.au
ARTFUL – ALPHA60
The Alpha60 “Paula” cropped jacket in light-navy wool with wide shoulder hood $350, is an extravagant, even romantic look that plugs in neatly among winter’s key boxy silhouettes. Worn with matched “Larissa” dress $280, and Alpha60 bootlets.Buy online, www.alpha60.com.au, or off the rack at six Alphaville stores, Melbourne (03) 9654 1114 and Sydney (02) 9357 7788.
COOL – KIRRILY JOHNSTON
The Esther jacket is a revelation of trickily tailored kinks and strategically enhanced curves, $780. www.kirrilyjohnston.com
KOOKY – CAMILLA
Camilla “Entaki” single breasted jacket $549 and “Olapa” sleeveless button-back top $299, over matched print, heavily embellished skirt $499. In the inimitable style of Camilla, less kooky than exotic, a dense plane of marvellous colour and pattern linked to a key winter silhouette, www.camilla.com.au, (02) 8353 1816
(Footnote1: we have entered the mid and pre-stocktake sale season which may result in the reduction of some listed prices. Lucky You.)
(Footnote2: Main picture, top, Kirrily Johnston “Esther” godet dress, $680, clings to the torso and waistline before gently releasing into easy folds. Move with sass and it will too. www.kirrilyjohnston.com)
By Janice Breen Burns, jbb@voxfrock.com.au, research Terry Carruthers, intern@voxfrock.com.au
